BOSTON, Feb. 1, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Massachusetts Boston today announced that South Easton-based Pressure BioSciences Inc. (Nasdaq:PBIO), a developer of bench-top sample preparation instruments, has moved its research and development operations to the university’s Venture Development Center. PBIO develops and markets pressure cycling technology that enables safe, rapid, and reproducible extraction of proteins, DNA, RNA, and small molecules from biological samples for biochemical analysis.

This brings the 18,000-square-foot business incubator to 75 percent occupancy since opening in May 2009.

The addition of PBIO is expected to greatly benefit the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, a joint UMass Boston venture with the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center to be launched within the VDC. The purpose of the CPCT is to conduct basic and translational research to develop low-cost diagnostic tests focusing on cancers that vary at the molecular level but remain indistinguishable in conventional clinical analyses.

“Our scientists connected with the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy are excited about collaborating with PBIO," said William Brah, executive director of the VDC. “The goals of CPCT are ideally complemented by the cutting-edge, PCT-based sample preparation technology developed by PBIO, which can permit tumor biomarkers in ordinary clinical preparations to be more rapidly and effectively analyzed.”

UMass Boston has purchased PBIO’s Barocycler instrument, which offers shorter processing time, higher throughput, and reduced operating costs, all without sacrificing quality. The instrument will be available to UMass Boston scientists and students to enhance their research and training, and will also provide CPCT with an important tool for its translational research.

PBIO, a publicly traded company, began commercializing pressure cycling technology in 2005. It recently raised approximately $1.2 million to support on-going efforts to increase sales and applications for PCT. PBIO currently has about 90 instrument installations worldwide.

In addition to Pressure BioSciences Inc., the VDC is home to:

DPixel, a management consulting company specialized in seed and early stage investments.

Anthurium Solutions, Inc., a software company building a platform for matching continuous digital work with virtual workers globally.

The Venture Development Center is a research and development center and business incubator for entrepreneurs from within and outside UMass Boston. The center is designed to accelerate time to investment and market, while keeping costs to a minimum. The VDC offers short-term, ready-to-use offices and laboratories with managed services that meet the needs of startups. The VDC offers the ability to foster collaboration with the intellectual resources of UMass Boston’s faculty, staff, and students. To learn more about the VDC, visit www.umb.edu/vdc.

About the University of Massachusetts Boston

With a growing reputation for innovative research addressing complex issues, the University of Massachusetts Boston, metropolitan Boston’s only public university, offers its diverse student population both an intimate learning environment and the rich experience of a great American city. UMass Boston’s seven colleges and graduate schools serve more than 14,000 students while engaging local, national, and international constituents through academic programs, research centers, and public service activities. To learn more about UMass Boston, visit www.umb.edu.